Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Though I've watched the theatrical release of this trilogy multiple times, I'd never seen the "extended" version of any of the three installments. Not to mention, I'd never watched the entire series in the same month, much less within 24 hours.

Rest assured I can now scratch this life goal off of my Bucket List. In which case: here are a few passing thoughts.

Many points of confusion I previously had were cleared up, as scenes cut from the theatrical release did in many cases help to clarify subsequent scenes in the released version.

This newfound understanding comes at a cost, with each unedited movie running upwards of four hours.

Is it just me, or does Gandalf use surprisingly little magic for a fully-certified wizard?

Christian and historical allegory are both more obvious in the extended release.

Well, Tolkien-type magic isn't the stuff of traditional fairytales/fantasy. His wizards are less sorcerers and more wisemen with some handy magical skills.

I, too, am terribly fond of Hobbits, but the film cuts out a lot of the stuff about how extremely narrow-minded they are. If people were like Hobbits, you'd be rather a pariah like Bilbo, I'm afraid. Me too.

My already low respect for you has managed to fall into negative numbers. At this point, you will have to go above and beyond mere mortal achievement to curry my favor.

On the list of things never to do:1. Tell everyone you enjoy both Harry Potter and The Unholy Trilogy.2. Subsequently bulletize points(Are you picking up on my sarcasm there?) alleging there is the possibility of literary criticism.3. Try to convince yourself you didn't waste your life watching twelve hours of feces smeared on celluloid by hairy footed midgets waxing philosophical about dragons, swords and lightning bolts from fingertips.

I have more, but, as you well know, I get very lazy when it comes to writing and I have to stop here.

I enjoy those two series. I read the trilogy as a young person, and it scared the freepers out of me -- as did the movies.

As far as the movies go -- the trilogy DID NOT disappoint. So far, Harry has been a great diversion, too. BUT, we weren't quite as thrilled with the last release. It just wasn't quite up to the quality of the previous.

i was watching the first a few weeks ago and i had real problem with something: as they were crossing the big snow mountain... the hobbits had no shoes. i'm sorry, i don't care if you have furry feet, you need shoes.

oh, did i mention you've inspired me? i shall endevour to watch these as well... though, i think they are plenty long enough... :D

Meh - I'll most definitely be up for an HP marathon! Though I think that'd have to be an entire weekend, rather than just one day. Unless no one sleeps... in which case, we'd all be nuts by the 6th movie.

STC - To quote Gollum: you're tricksy.

Pamela - I haven't been disappointed in HP yet. Don't know what I'll have left to look forward to after the 7th movie is out. :(

DWC - Yeah, that's always bothered me too. I think the hobbits have super human feet. And I bet that hair keeps them warm. I mean, when's the last time you saw a polar bear wearing shoes?